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Projects New project 53 F-100

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by olskool34, Sep 17, 2016.

  1. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    I have not posted a project thread on here in awhile so I thought I would share my latest. I picked up this 53 locally. Was in a barn until 3 years ago then it was put outside. I went and looked at it and besides missing the grill and drivetrain, it was all there.

    I was not going to buy it but decided to make a low ball offer and the guy took it. So I now have it at home and I am putting a list together of what I need and what I want to do with it. You guys will probably see the wanted section blow up with my needs. Lol.

    I picked up a 65 F-100 3:50 rear axle, bought a 71 302 and I am looking for a C-4 trans. Going to drop it a little and drive the wheels off of it. Body work will come last. I will try to keep his thread updated.

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    lodaddyo and louisb like this.
  2. lodaddyo
    Joined: May 5, 2002
    Posts: 1,250

    lodaddyo
    Member

    Looks like a good project! Ill be watching
     
  3. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    Nice patina,just take a few leafs out,(every other one you can)that will drop it some.
     
  4. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Was thinking of getting those front center correcting springs that are a 3 inch drop. Think mid fifty sells them but not sure who makes them. Never new these trucks had the front axle set back.
     

  5. LTM75110
    Joined: Oct 16, 2006
    Posts: 534

    LTM75110
    Member

    Looks like a good start, watching now...
     
  6. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    I was gonna show you a pic of a 56 I lowered by only taking leafs out but cant find the old thread that has the pic in it. It was called the good bad and ugly F100s or something like that??? It had a bunch of f100s in it. I dont have much luck with search anymore, I guess some of my posts have gotten too old???
     
  7. I bought one with a seized 350 Olds motor. I flipped the rear shackle mounts and repleced the worn out front end with a 75 Z-28 sub......built a 301 chevy/350 turbo/66 lincoln rear axle. I realize front subframes are looked down on here on the HAMB but damn! That little truck drove like a slot car with the variable-ratio steering box and 1.25" stabilizer bar....loved driving it.
    53truck.jpg
     
  8. studebaker46
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 715

    studebaker46
    Member

    look at any stock 53/56 f100 and the front axel is set back 1 1/2 in I think Tom
     
    verde742 likes this.
  9. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Yeah 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 is what I have been told. I am going to keep whatever I can do the front axle is staying. Once everything is rebuilt I am sure the ride will be acceptable.
     
  10. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Found a grill that looked like it had some original paint still left under the nasty black that was on it. Little stripper and some thinner and I got a grill that matches the truck perfect. Could not be happier with it.

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  11. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    The 302 is home. It is a '71 out of a 50k fire department bronco that was used to plow.

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  12. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    I owned a '53 F-100 from 1979-1992. It, too, was faded red like yours. Mine had a 327 Chevy and Turbo 400. I sold it to a friend in 1992. He still has it, and has promised to sell it back to me if he ever decides to sell it.
     
  13. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Finally found a C4, it is from a 78 ranchero. Also picked up five 15x5 wheels and original hubcaps for it. Time to order my drivetrain mounts and get to work!

    [​IMG]

    Also picked up a set of original parking lights, they match perfectly.

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    indestructableforce likes this.
  14. adam401
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 2,856

    adam401
    Member

    That truck is beautiful. Centered front wheels is a huge improvement on these.
     
  15. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    That is going to happen for sure. Also fixed that nasty crack in the fender, it was pulled out, bent, way out of shape. I welded it up and made it look like an old fix but it is straight now.

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  16. F-head
    Joined: Oct 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,171

    F-head
    Member

    I built a 53 over the last year. Put the axle on top of the front springs and moved it forward 3/4"
    c notched and boxed that area raised the steering box
    was cheap and worked great
    I would put a link on here but I dont know how to make it happen
     
  17. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Hood is on. The truck did not come with hood hinges, it was just sitting there. Found some good ones locally, spent about 4 hours on them to make sure they moved easily and correctly with correct year shoulder screws and the hood shuts, all the way around. No raised hood at the cowl which I see on all these trucks. Hopefully I can have the engine, trans and rear end in before snow flies.

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  18. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    Don't you have to take the hood back off to replace the engine?
     
  19. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Yeah but the hinge placement is where all the fitment is, hood can only bolt to the hinges one way so it can come off and on now and no alignment issues.
     
  20. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Got a pretty crucial part today in my opinion, a '57 passenger car automatic column. It will need to be lengthened some but not a hard job at all when looking at it. Also going to incorporate the indicator into the column drop. Will need to get clever there but this should fit the bill nicely.

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  21. qzjrd5
    Joined: Nov 23, 2004
    Posts: 1,339

    qzjrd5
    Member
    from Troy, MI

  22. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Thanks! One question for you guys, after a quick look at fitment, my stock 53 truck wheel will not clear the shifter arm or the blinker rod. Should I put a '57 passenger car wheel in her? Would it be out of place or a nice touch of chrome? Do they bolt up, same shaft for car and truck? Or should I just bend the arms and run the stock 53 truck wheel??
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
  23. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    Can you just make a spacer?
     
  24. Fedman
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,163

    Fedman
    Member

    1953 Ford F100 016.jpg
    My old 53 had a 56 Wheel in it, I thought it looked OK, and it would give you the clearance away from the Shifter and turn signal.
    Love the project! :)
     
    Atwater Mike and kidcampbell71 like this.
  25. 1940 coupe
    Joined: Sep 19, 2012
    Posts: 88

    1940 coupe
    Member
    from nj

  26. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    A spacer would be too big and look like crap in my opinion. Time to think about this one. Fedman, that wheel does look nice!
     
  27. F-head
    Joined: Oct 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,171

    F-head
    Member

    just heat and bend the shift handle and turn signal handle
    thats what i did on my 53
    I used a 56 pickup auto column and had to make clearance for a flat 53 K wheel
     
  28. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Yeah that is what I am thinking of doing, I already have the stock wheel so no need spending money if I do not have to.
     
  29. F-head
    Joined: Oct 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,171

    F-head
    Member

    take the shift handle and turn handles out before you heat them or you could ruin something
    the 53 pickup wheel is a nice piece
    you can check out my 53 in a thread called: My friend Bruce's new shop truck
     
  30. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Have to remove them because the shifter has a rubber boot on it that will melt. Got some stuff done today, picked up a nice set of tires for it and went over to my father in laws and made up the new wood for the bed. Red oak, really nice and from a local mill. Also got all the mounts for the engine/tranny.

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